Water Projects Officer

My name is Pauline Hoogerwerf and I have been a member of Marston Green & District Lions Club for seventeen years.

I have been President of my Club once, Secretary many times and have held many other positions in the Club. I am currently Club Secretary (again) and on the Community Service Committee, helping to spend the money that the Club has raised. I have held several District positions, including Cabinet Secretary.

From 1999-2001 I was District North Sea Lions Officer, when I managed a project in Niger, West Africa, to provide ten deep wells. I visited Niger twice and, since then, have been passionate about the provision of fresh water to undeveloped countries

A year ago, when I took on the role of Water Projects Officer, I was asked why Lions are still supporting WaterAid when we get little recognition outside of Lions and WaterAid is such an enormous charity. They run massive advertising campaigns on TV and every bill from Severn Trent Water contains an appeal from WaterAid. There is no doubt that WaterAid does a fantastic job, but do they really need Lions help?

I thought that perhaps it was time for Lions to support other, smaller water projects, where we could really make a difference. I was given Cabinet approval to look for a suitable alternative project and decided that it was a good idea to check on the condition of our own wells in Niger.

In January this year a survey was undertaken, which showed that all ten wells are in need of repair, mainly due to them sanding up. Some also have damage to the concrete linings. Not really surprising when you think that some of the wells are now ten years old and situated in an incredibly harsh environment.

THE CURRENT SITUATION

All ten wells are in need of repair/refurbishment, but five are more urgent than the others.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Each well will cost approximately £2,000 to make good.

THE PLAN

I aim to raise the money over the next two Lions years by appealing to Clubs, as well as giving talks to other organisations. In addition, it should be possible to obtain a grant from LCIF at some point along the way. The more money we raise, the more wells we can fix.

WHY SHOULD WE HELP?

• Because they belong to us.

• Because these wells provide the only source of fresh, safe water to 25,000 people, all their animals and all the passing nomadic tribes in remote areas of the Sahara Desert.

• Because provision of clean water helps to prevent river blindness, trachoma and dysentery.

Each well bears a plaque containing a Lions logo and, although the villagers don’t know who Lions are, they do know what Lions has done for them.

I am now asking for your help to raise the necessary funds to keep our wells in good working order.

If you would like more information, or if you would like to arrange for me to come to one of your Club or Zone meetings, please contact me:

Lion Pauline Hoogerwerf
Officer for Water Projects and Street Children
024 7636 3362
water-projects@lions105m.org.uk